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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 120 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: suit · mark · tube · vault · current · fine · lash · saw

  1. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  3. She's very handy with a ________________.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  7. I'll be taking the ________________.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  19. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. He works in a ________________ mill.
  24. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. tube — a container
  3. saw — the tool
  4. current — happening now
  5. mark — a trace
  6. fine — high quality
  7. tube — the underground
  8. suit — to fit
  9. fine — all right
  10. suit — clothes
  11. vault — an arched ceiling
  12. current — of water
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. current — electric
  15. mark — a grade
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. vault — a safe
  19. vault — in gymnastics
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. tube — in a tire
  22. suit — in cards
  23. saw — the tool
  24. saw — past of 'see'

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com